How to Ship a Car

Cars are shipped all of the time. Everyone has seen those huge double decked car carriers rumble down the highway. Auto manufacturers and dealers ship cars all over the country and the world. To ship large volumes of cars, trains are the mode of choice. Hundreds of cars can be shipped by train at one time. For shipment overseas, cars are put into a crate or container and loaded into the cargo hold of a ship. They can be shipped by air, but the cost is too expensive for most.

If you need to transport a car several hundred or maybe a thousand miles, explore your options. Shipping may not be the best choice. When you ship a car, your car can sit for a week or more in a trailer waiting to be hooked to a truck or loaded on a train for shipment. This can put your car at risk. It also means if you are traveling by a quicker means that you will arrive long before your car. On the opposite end, if you ship early, you will have to live without your car for an extended period before you depart.

The option to shipping the car is to have someone drive it to the destination for you. If you have a friend that would like to take a trip, the cost might just be fuel, lodging, a little food, and transportation home. This may seem expensive, but you probably have not priced the cost of shipping a car. However, if the idea is to protect the car and keep the mileage down, shipping is the way to go.

For shipping a single car, a truck is usually the best option. Trucks will be faster than a train. A freight train could require a month to deliver a car to your destination. A trucking or hauling company may get it there in a week or so. The truck may even be able to deliver it to your door.

If you have never shipped a car or any type of major freight, ask lots of questions and do some research online for pricing and service options. Try to find a shipper who will either prepare your car for shipping or will take the time to walk you through how to do it. Before turning your car over to a stranger, empty it of all personal and valuable items that might prove too tempting for thieves.

If your car will shipped in an open trailer, ask that it be covered if possible. This will protect the finish and glass. Make sure that you get a receipt and a contract that spells out the shipper’s responsibilities regarding shipping time and damage repair. Check with you auto insurer to see if you need any type of rider to cover shipping problems.

For shipping a car to an international destination, you will need to consult with professionals who know how to get the car through customs on both ends of the trip. You also want a carrier who is connected in the destination country to help with delivery and delay problems. Getting a high end shipper may scare your wallet, but if the car is worth shipping, it is worth making sure that it arrives safely.